PERSECUTES
Verb
persecutes
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of persecute
Source: Wiktionary
PERSECUTE
Per"se*cute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Persecuted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Persecuting.] Etym: [F. persécueter, L. persequi, persecutus, to
pursue, prosecute; per + sequi to follow, pursue. See Per-, and
Second.]
1. To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with
cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass,
punish, or put to death, for adherence to a particular religious
creed or mode of worship.
Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully
use you, and persecute you. Matt. v. 44.
2. To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent
solicitations; to annoy. Johnson.
Syn.
– To oppress; harass; distress; worry; annoy.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition